Religious Revivalism – Social Base of New Godman
Why in News?
In recent years, India has experienced a rise in the number of new godmen or spiritual leaders who claim to have a direct connection with the divine. These godmen conduct mass religious gatherings and attract millions of followers who are drawn to their preachings and sermons. The New Age godmen are being credited with bringing about a religious revivalism in the country.
Religious Revivalism – Social Base of New Godman
Religious Revivalism is a phenomenon that is characterized by the resurgence of religious fervor and religious practices. In India, the revival has been fueled by a combination of social, political and economic factors. One of the main drivers has been the rise of a new social class that is upwardly mobile and seeking to assert its cultural identity. The rise of the middle class has in part led to the New Age godman.
According to statistics provided by The Times of India, godmen like Baba Ramdev, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, and Asaram Bapu have a massive following of millions of people. It has been reported that Asaram Bapu has more than 20 million followers, while Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has around 50 million followers.
The popularity of these godmen can be attributed to various factors, including the social needs of their devotees. Many of these godmen have emerged as counsellors, providing advice on social issues such as health, finance, education and family matters. People are drawn to them because they help them connect with their spirituality and offer comfort in times of distress.
Diverse Perspectives
While the rise of religious revivalism has been celebrated by some, it has also been criticized by others as being detrimental to social harmony. There is a view that some of these godmen manipulate their followers for their own gain and that they are nothing more than fraudsters taking advantage of people’s beliefs while others do good work.
The phenomenon of the New Age godman is also seen as a reflection of the changing cultural landscape of India. With social, political, and economic changes taking place, people are searching for meaning and purpose in their lives. Religious revivalism is one way of fulfilling that need.
Conclusion
In conclusion, religious revivalism is a complex phenomenon that reflects the social, political and economic conditions of a country. The rise of godmen in India is one manifestation of this phenomenon. While there is no doubt that the new godmen have a massive following and are providing a service to their devotees, care must be taken to ensure that they are not abusing their power for personal gain. The country should be open to a diversified range of perspectives on the topic.
Sources:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/toi-edit-page/why-bhole-babas-flourish/
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/toi-edit-page/why-bhole-babas-flourish/
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/why-bhole-babas-flourish/articleshow/111493608.cms
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